Jacques Gerber on first official visit to Ukraine
In early April, the Federal Council Delegate for Ukraine undertook his first mission to the country. The mission has given a major impetus to Switzerland's long-standing cooperation with Ukraine, which is continuing under the Ukraine country programme 2025–28. The situation on the ground leaves a lasting impression: during the visit, a large-scale attack on the city of Kryvyi Rih claimed many lives, including children. The resilience and courage shown by the Ukrainian people in these tragic circumstances give cause for hope.
Deeper cooperation on health and digitalisation
In Kyiv Jacques Gerber met representatives of the Ukrainian authorities, including the Ministers for Agriculture, Digital Transformation and Health, as well as First Lady Olena Zelenska. Switzerland is set to continue its long-standing partnership with Ukraine on health, providing support for reforms, psychological counselling and trauma rehabilitation. The Federal Council Delegate signed a declaration of intent for the second phase of ‘Act for Health’. This project, which receives CHF 15 million in funding from Switzerland, works to reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases through the use of mobile medical teams and home-based care.
Switzerland has supported Ukraine's digital transformation efforts since 2015. Enhanced digital capabilities are vital to keeping the country's public services up and running despite the ongoing war. One of the highlights of Jacques Gerber's visit was the roll-out of the new ‘Mriia’ app. The initiative, which benefited from Swiss support, simplifies the learning process and makes it easier for children to access education, even when schooling has to take place in a bomb shelter. The app was officially launched at a ministerial conference chaired by President Volodymyr Zelenkskyy and attended by Mr Gerber. The Federal Council Delegate for Ukraine also travelled to Chernihiv, where he visited a school that had been rebuilt with Swiss support.
Economic cooperation
The focus of the visit shifted in the second week to economic relations. Jacques Gerber signed the modernised free trade agreement between the EFTA States and Ukraine, heading a delegation of 16 Swiss companies and associations operating in the country. This was Switzerland's first economic mission to Ukraine since the outbreak of the war and was an opportunity for the companies travelling with the Federal Council Delegate to get a clearer picture of conditions in the country. Systematically engaging the private sector in Ukraine's reconstruction is an integral part of the Ukraine country programme. At a meeting with the Ukrainian Minister of Economy, a memorandum of understanding was signed regarding the first call for projects for Swiss companies.
Challenges and incentives
As the Federal Council Delegate for Ukraine, Jacques Gerber oversees the Ukraine country programme, to which CHF 1.5 billion has been allocated for the 2025–28 period. Despite the enormous challenges and tremendous suffering, he derives hope from the resilience of people on the ground, the agility of the Ukrainian authorities and the quality of Swiss projects. Given the lived reality of civilians, including forced displacement, damaged infrastructure and constant insecurity, the purpose and significance of Switzerland's support for Ukraine are clear.
Links
- Support of the Confederation for the people affected by the war in Ukraine
- Ukraine news platform
- Switzerland Plus Ukraine
- La Matinale (RTS), 15 April 2025 with Jacques Gerber (French)
- Interview with Jacques Gerber published in Le Temps on 19 April 2025 (French)
Documents
Contact
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